Page 51 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

“Cheers!” We all reply in unison, clinking our glasses together. As I take a sip of the champagne, I notice Emily merely pretends to drink, subtly bringing the glass to her lips without actually swallowing any of it. I know she’s trying to keep her pregnancy a secret for now.

She steps closer to Chloe. “So, you knew about this?” she accuses her with a hip bump.

“Guilty as charged,” she says. “And believe me, helping to choose the ring was quite the experience. I know how particular you can be,” she teases.

“Hey!” Emily protests playfully, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Anyway,” Chloe continues, “We finally found the perfect one after visiting what felt like a million jewelry stores. The moment Lucas saw it, he just knew it was the one.”

Emily nods with a smile and glances at me. Her head tips like she’s trying to figure something out. She sneaks closer to me.

“Wait,” she whispers, furrowing her brow. “Is this why you’ve been so quiet these past few days?”

“I didn’t mean to come across that way, but yes,” I say, wrapping my arm around her waist protectively. “I was just trying to keep everything a secret. I wanted this to be the perfect surprise for you.”

“Mission accomplished,” she replies, planting a tender kiss on my cheek.

“Besides,” I confess with a sheepish grin, “I might have been a little nervous about getting everything just right. I mean, it’s not every day you propose to the love of your life.”

“Wait until we start planning the wedding,” Chloe teases, winking at Emily. “That’s when the real fun begins!”

She chuckles, squeezing my hand nervously.

I lean down to her ear. “We’re going to have to tell her about the baby.”

She swallows hard. “That’s exactly what I was just thinking.”

I squeeze her hand back. “No better time than the present?” My brows lift as I seek her agreement.

“Emily, let me top you up!” Chloe exclaims, reaching for the champagne bottle with a grin. She pauses mid-pour, her eyes darting between Emily’s untouched champagne and the knowing look that passes between us. Her brow furrows with suspicion, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head.

“Okay, what’s going on here?” Chloe demands, crossing her arms over her chest.

I glance at Emily again and she nods her approval.

“So, uh, Chloe,” I start. “There’s a second part to all of this.”

Her eyes dart between Emily and me.

And before I can say another word, she drops her head back with a huge groan.

“That’s not fair,” she bellows. “Emily! You beat me to it!” She reaches her arms around her and gives her a warm hug. “Oh my God, you two are going to make amazing parents.”

Emily laughs, and I watch as Chloe’s surprise and joy shift to a larger realization.

“Wait,” she grumbles. Her face falls from the unexpected change to her planner. “Does this mean you’ll be getting married before me too?”

Chapter Twenty-Three (Emily)

The cardboard boxes surrounding me seem to have multiplied since I started packing this morning. Focusing on the task at hand, I fold another box and tape it shut, and take a quick glance at my beautiful diamond. I can’t believe all of this is happening, a baby, an engagement, a trip to Dubai. I’m overjoyed with how things have been going. It makes it all the easier to release my freelance clients and put my entire focus on the growing Walker Enterprises.

“Emily, did you pack the extra rash guards?” Lucas calls out from across the gym, his voice steady and confident, Charlie trailing behind him like a second shadow, as always.

“Yep, got ’em,” I reply, checking off the items on my mental list. With each completed task, I feel more prepared for what lies ahead in Dubai. Preparing a team for a world championship has been quite an undertaking and, in all honesty, I’m feeling the competitive thrill in my bones.

Lucas approaches me, a grin plastered on his face. “I have to say, our fighters have never been more ready for such a showcase. You’ll be amazed to see them in full competition mode.”

“You guys deserve it all,” I tell him.

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